Chapter Twenty-Three: Oppression

Oppression

Following the old woman’s directions, Bai Qi spurred his horse onward at breakneck speed. He was anxious about that so-called “Great God”—who, despite the long silence, still insisted on calling herself “young lady” and could appear behind him at any moment like a haunting specter. The mere thought sent chills down his spine, a dread he truly could not bear. He feared that one day, this unnerving presence might scare him senseless.

Along the way, he crossed a wooden bridge lined with withered vines and ancient trees, crows cawing overhead. Bai Qi mulled over the strength of governance in the Great Tang—surely, a nation could not flourish for five centuries without a sound system and a focus on shared prosperity. Even in the relatively remote green hills of Liang Prefecture, the economy thrived. He reasoned that the Eight Wilds could not differ too much, and each county was tightly managed. So why did Nanyang County, within the Eight Wilds, seem to suffer such misrule?

He pushed these thoughts aside and hastened toward the town marketplace.

At that moment, at one end of the market, a commotion erupted—shouts and curses mingled with the hum of the crowd.

“You old fool, how dare you not know your place? My young master has taken a liking to your little girl—that’s her good fortune! Ungrateful wretch! She actually bit my young master’s hand. Can you afford to pay for that? She’s sullied his hand!” The speaker was a sharp-tongued, monkey-faced servant in blue and indigo live